Eyeglass frame



Patented E2, 1922.

WAYNE S. SEARLES, F PROVIDENCE, ELI-3101315] E LAND, AS SIGNOR T0 UNIVERSAL QPTICAL CORPGRATION, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHGDE ISLAND, A CORPORATION 015 RHODE ISLAND.

Ernst-ass FRAME.

Application filed lviay 9, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WAYNE S. SEARLES, a citizen of the United States, residing Providence, in the county of Providence and.

State of Rhode Isl and, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Eyeglass Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of non-metallic eyeglass frames and the oint members by which the temples are connected thereto, and the object of this invention is to provide an improved construction of joint members and im iroved means for securing the joint members to the frame to render the same strong and durable and yet of graceful and attractive appearance.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully de scribed, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a non-metallic spectacle frame in which my improved temple joint is employed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged edge view in section showing the laterally-extending joint end pieces on the frame disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the side edge of the lens frame; also showing a curved arm on one of the joint members secured at its inner end in the frame by pivoting, or by splitting the end of the arm and extending the split ends in opposite directions along the bottom of the lens groove.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the two different joint members showing 40 the end of the curved arm as split and the split end bent in opposite directions.

Figure 4: is a modification showing the joint arm as secured in the frame by means of a screw threaded into its end.

Figure 5 is a sectional side elevation showing a portion of a frame and a metal strip as inserted into the frame at the bottom of the lens groove to afford an extended support for the head of the binding screw.

Figure 6 is a sectional edge view showing a portion of a non-metallic frame in which the joint end piece is curved rearwardly and the end 0f the joint arm is secured by a screw.

Serial No. 559,585.

Figure 7 is modification showing a looking screw passing laterally through the hingespur or arm and through that part in which it is imbedded.

It is found in practice desirable in the construction of non-metallic spectacle fras es of this character to form the laterally-extending joint end pieces straight instead of being bent rearwardly as is usually the case, as the straight end piece is much s ronger than the curved end piece and will hold its shape permanently while a curved end piece has tendency to straighten or unbend baclr into its 0 ginal straight position.

lit is also found of advantage to provide arm on one of tie joint members and to set the same into the joint end piece of the frame and secure the arm at its inner end to the frame, to lock the same permanently in position therein, and the following is a detailed description of one means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

With reference to the drawings, 10 designates the usual spectacle frame which is formed either wholly or in part of non metallic material such as for instance celluloid, zylonite and other suitable materials, and to the opposite ends 11 of this frame are hinged the temples 12.

The normal position of the zylonite is to lie in a straight line because it is cut from sheet stock and the laterally-extending joint end pieces 11 on the side edges of the frame are naturally straight, but in many instances in order to facilitate the connecting of the temple members to the frame these end pieces have been curved rearwardly which construction is found to have some disadvantages, among'others being that in time these curved ends in general use, have a tendency to straighten back into their original plane thus throwing the point of connection of the temples out of its proper position.

To obviate this difiiculty, l have formed my joint end pieces straight leaving them in a plane substantially parallel with the side edges of the lens frame and l have provided laterally extending arm 13 on one of the joint members of each hinge,

which arm is preferably curved to be set into this frame end piece 11 and its end in some instances is riveted over as at 14-, as shown 1n F lgure 2, at the bottom of the lens groo e 16, to lock the joint member securely in position in the end piece 11. In other instances the end of the arm is split and the split portions 17 are bent to extend in opposite directions and lie in a recess at the bottom of the lens groove 16, and in still other instances a screw 15 is inserted into the frame from the inner surface or lens-receiving groove as shown in Figure i, the slot in the screw-head coinciding with the lens groove in the frame, and the threaded end being screwed into the end of the arm. Then again as shown in Figure 5, a metal strip 18, may, if desired, be inserted into the frame at the bottom of the groove 16 to afford an extended support for the head of t ie screw, which head is preferably recessed thereinto.

It has been also found of advantage in some instances in order to lock or secure the spur or arm of the oint member in the stock into which it is imbedded, to insert a screw or rivet 2O transversely thereof and to preferablv thread the screw through the metal member, as shown in Figures 2 and 7.

In some instances this curved arm 13 is attached to its joint member and is offset, at the point of attachment, to one side of a medial line, through the joint, set at right angles to the plane of the edge of the lens frame, in order to obtain the desired curve of the arm to facilitate its being positioned into the end piece with its extremity in line to be secured to the inner or gz rooi'ed side of the lens frame.

My improved construction of the joint portion of a non-metallic lens frame is very strong and durable and yet provides a handsome and attractive frame. I

The foregoing description is directed szole ly towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A non metallic spectacle frame having a laterally-extending joint end piece disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the side edge of the lens frame, a temple hinged to said piece, a curved arm on one of said joint members extending into said end piece, and a screw for securing its inner end.

2. A non-metallic spectacle frame having a joint end piece, a temple hinged to said end piece, and an arm on one of the joint members of the hinge extending through said end piece, and a screw threaded into the arm for binding it into position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WAYNE S. SEARIJES. 

